A good ice cream maker makes homemade gelato, sorbet and frozen yoghurt genuinely easy, while a poor one ends up as kitchen clutter. Under £200 there are reliable options across every type, from simple freeze-bowl machines to self-freezing compressor models and the freeze-the-base approach used by the Ninja CREAMi.
The main decision is compressor versus bowl. Compressor machines have built-in freezing and need no planning; bowl machines are cheaper and more compact but need the bowl frozen overnight. If you are also stocking the kitchen with other appliances, our guide to the best blenders UK 2026 pairs well for making fruit bases and sorbets.
Prices below were checked in September 2026 and change often, so treat them as a guide.
Our top picks at a glance
- Best overall: Cuisinart Freeze Ease ICE90U – £149.99
- Best value bowl machine: Cuisinart ICE30BCU – £100
- Best budget: Andrew James 1.5L Ice Cream Maker – from around £29
- Best for families and flavour variety: Ninja CREAMi NC300UK – £170.99
How the best ice cream makers compare
Model | Type | Capacity | Best for | Approx. price |
Cuisinart Freeze Ease ICE90U | Compressor | 950ml | Frequent or impulse makers | £149.99 |
Cuisinart ICE30BCU | Freeze-bowl | 2L | Occasional makers | £100 |
Andrew James 1.5L | Freeze-bowl | 1.5L | Budget, occasional use | £28.88 |
Ninja CREAMi NC300UK | Freeze-the-base | 1.4L (2 tubs) | Families and variety | £170.99 |
1. Cuisinart Freeze Ease ICE90U – Best overall
Product box: ASIN TBC (no box until the amazon.co.uk ASIN is verified)
The Freeze Ease has a built-in compressor, so there is no bowl to pre-freeze. It is ready in about 40 minutes, has presets for ice cream, sorbet and frozen yoghurt, and a one-hour keep-cool function. Capacity is 950ml per batch, and the compressor allows back-to-back batches. The paddle and lid are dishwasher safe and there is a 3-year guarantee. At £149.99 on Cuisinart’s UK site it sits comfortably under £200. It replaces the older ICE-100, which Cuisinart now lists as discontinued.
2. Cuisinart ICE30BCU – Best value bowl machine
The Deluxe Ice Cream Maker is a fully automatic freeze-bowl machine with a 2L capacity. Churn time is about 25 minutes, and mix-ins can be added through the lid. The bowl needs about 12 hours in the freezer beforehand, so it suits people who plan ahead. It handles ice cream, sorbet and frozen yoghurt, comes with a 5-year guarantee, and is £100 at Cuisinart UK (listed as low stock at the time of checking). Spare bowls cost around £25, which allows a second batch.
3. Andrew James 1.5L Ice Cream Maker – Best budget
For occasional use, this 1.5L freeze-bowl machine is a low-risk entry point. It is ready in about 20 minutes once the bowl is frozen and includes a yoghurt function. PriceSpy shows a lowest price of £28.88 at Amazon.co.uk, with eBay close behind. It is basic, and the bowl must be frozen ahead, but it is enough to test whether homemade ice cream is a habit worth investing in.
4. Ninja CREAMi NC300UK – Best for families and flavour variety
The CREAMi works differently: a base is frozen in a tub for around 24 hours, then processed into a smooth scoop. It has 7 programs (ice cream, gelato, sorbet, smoothie bowl, light ice cream, milkshake and mix-in), comes with two 493ml tubs, and suits families who want several flavours or dairy-free and low-sugar bases prepared in advance. The price is £170.99 at SharkNinja UK (reduced from £209.99), with the NC300EU listed from £144.99 on PriceSpy. The 800W motor is loud, and extra tubs help if several flavours are wanted.
How to choose an ice cream maker: what matters
Compressor versus freeze-bowl: convenience versus cost
Compressor machines freeze as they churn, so there is no planning and consecutive batches are possible. Freeze-bowl machines cost far less but rely on a bowl that has been frozen overnight and can only make one batch before it warms up.
Capacity and freezer space
Check the freezer has room for a bowl of about 2L before buying a bowl machine. Compressor models are larger on the worktop, and batch sizes usually range from about 950ml to 1.5L.
Texture, paddles and churning
Churning aerates the mix and keeps ice crystals small. Dual paddles or gelato settings can help with denser textures, while soft-serve consistency after 20 to 40 minutes usually needs a further freeze to firm up.
Noise, cleaning and storage
Compressors and the CREAMi are louder than bowl machines. Removable dishwasher-safe parts make cleaning quicker, and freeze-bowl models store easily once the bowl is back in the freezer.
Also worth considering
If budget stretches beyond £200, Cuisinart’s Freeze Ease Pro adds more presets and a longer keep-cool function but costs around £299.99. For handheld quick churns, Cuisinart’s FreezeWand range is listed from around £99.99 on PriceSpy.
Which ice cream maker should you buy?
Choose the Cuisinart Freeze Ease if you make ice cream regularly or on impulse. Choose the Cuisinart ICE30BCU if you want a larger bowl machine at a modest price and can plan ahead. Choose the Andrew James if you only want to try it cheaply. Choose the Ninja CREAMi for a family that wants many flavours and dessert types.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best ice cream maker under £200 in the UK for 2026?
For most people the Cuisinart Freeze Ease ICE90U is the best compressor option at £149.99, with no bowl to freeze. For occasional use the Cuisinart ICE30BCU at £100 gives more capacity for less money.
Is a compressor ice cream maker worth it?
If you make ice cream often or on impulse, yes. Compressor machines remove the need to pre-freeze and allow back-to-back batches, whereas bowl machines suit occasional use on a tight budget.
Do you have to freeze the bowl on an ice cream maker?
On freeze-bowl machines, yes, usually for about 12 hours. Compressor machines have built-in freezing, and the Ninja CREAMi freezes the base in a tub instead.
Can you make sorbet and frozen yoghurt as well as ice cream?
Yes. All the machines here handle ice cream, sorbet and frozen yoghurt, and the CREAMi and Cuisinart models also offer gelato-style options.
How long does homemade ice cream take to make?
Churning usually takes 20 to 40 minutes to reach a soft-serve consistency, followed by a further freeze to firm up. The CREAMi needs its base frozen for around 24 hours first.
