Top 10 Popcorn Machines 2023

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#1

9.9

4.9/5

Great Northern Popcorn Company Popcorn Machine

  • 8 oz kettle capacity
  • Pops 48 cups per batch
  • Stainless steel & tempered glass
  • 860 watts
  • Built-in warming deck

Picked by 720 people this month!

#2

9.8

4.8/5

Great Northern Popcorn Company Vintage Popcorn Machine

  • 8 oz kettle capacity
  • Pops 48 cups per batch
  • Stainless steel & tempered glass
  • 850 watts
  • Includes serving bags, scoop, & more
#3

9.5

4.5/5

POPCO Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper

  • 50 mL kettle capacity
  • Pops 15 cups per batch
  • Silicone material
  • N/A, microwaveable bowl
  • Bowl and lid only included
#4

9.3

4.3/5

Superior Popcorn Company Popcorn Machine

  • 8 oz kettle capacity
  • Pops 48 cups per batch
  • Stainless steel & tempered glass
  • 860 watts
  • Includes scoops, bags, & more
#5

9.2

4.2/5
Save 37%

West Bend Stir Crazy Popcorn Machine

  • 6 oz kettle capacity
  • Pops 24 cups per batch
  • Plastic material
  • 850 watts
  • Includes butter tray, storage, & more
#6

9.1

4.1/5
Save 26%

West Bend Theater Style Popcorn Machine

  • 4 oz kettle capacity
  • Pops 16 cups per batch
  • Metal & plastic material
  • 300 watts
  • Includes stir rod, scoop, & more
#7

8.9

3.9/5
Save 14%

NOSTALGIA Concession Popcorn Cart

  • 8 oz kettle capacity
  • Pops 32 cups per batch
  • Stainless steel & tempered glass
  • 600 watts
  • Storage compartment & more
#8

8.8

3.8/5
Save 25%

PRESTO 04821 Hot Air Popper

  • 4 oz kernel capacity
  • Pops 18 cups per batch
  • Aluminum material
  • 1475 watts
  • Includes butter melter & more
#9

8.5

3.5/5

Olde Midway Vintage Popcorn Machine

  • 6 oz kettle capacity
  • Pops 32 cups per batch
  • Stainless steel & tempered glass
  • 640 watts
  • Includes scoop, warmer, & more
#10

8.4

3.4/5

West Bend PCMC20RD13 Popcorn Cart

  • 2.5 oz kettle capacity
  • Pops 10 cups per batch
  • Stainless steel kettle & tempered glass door
  • 310 watts
  • Includes scoop, serving tray, & measuring cup

We also considered 3 other:

NOSTALGIA KPM220CTBK Popcorn Machine
NOSTALGIA PC25RW Popcorn Machine
Franklin’s Gourmet Original Stovetop Popcorn Machine

Our Top Choice

#1

9.9

4.9/5

Great Northern Popcorn Company Popcorn Machine

  • 8 oz kettle capacity
  • Pops 48 cups per batch
  • Stainless steel & tempered glass
  • 860 watts
  • Built-in warming deck

Picked by 720 people this month!

About Our Rankings:

Our recommendations are based on expert comparisons between available products in each product category. For popcorn machine, we chose the topics that we think matter most to our users, and provide consise, clear comparisons of the features that matter. Our rankings change day-to-day based on our proprietary algorithms, that crunch data to identify top-performing products and tailor recommendations to exactly what our readers are looking for.

11
Models
Evaluated

2
Topics
Considered

9
Hours of
Research

4,845
Purchases
Analyzed

Popcorn Machine Buyer's Guide

If you love popcorn, there’s nothing better than a fully automated in-home popcorn machine. Having one gives you access to great theater quality popcorn in minutes.

Overview

When shopping for a popcorn machine, it’s important to know what to look for so you can easily compare products. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:

What are the important features of a popcorn machine?

The most important feature of a popcorn machine is of course its ability to make popcorn fast and simple. But there are a number of important components that every machine needs in order to make it work.

When you think of a popcorn machine, you’re probably thinking of a large rectangular case made of glass or plastic that you might find at a movie theater. Some machines deviate from this design but many of the ones you can buy online resemble this model. Beyond the case that holds the finished popcorn, the most important components would be both the kettle and the motor. The former is the part where the corn kernels themselves are popped and the latter is the heater that allows the popcorn to finish quickly. There are some other parts that might come with your model such as a light bulb to keep the popcorn warm but the case, motor, and kettle are the most essential.

What makes the best popcorn machine?

When shopping for your popcorn machine there are several things you want to look for. In order to choose the best option, look for a machine that can pop a good amount of popcorn, is energy efficient, is quick, and doesn’t take up too much space. Of course, you want to make sure the machine is built with high quality material as well.

As far as how much popcorn a machine can make, smaller models can pop between 10-15 cups while some larger sized ones yield close to 50 cups. As far as energy usage, they can use anywhere from 300 to up to 1500 watts of power. When it comes to popping time, the average should be about 10 minutes starting from the beginning of warm up. Finally, sizes can also vary. Some are a full sized popcorn stand like what you might find out in public while others are quite small and can be easily stored in your cupboard.

How does a popcorn machine work?

Using a popcorn machine is very simple. The first thing you need to do is plug it in and make sure it’s working. Then start warming the kettle or whatever heating component you have. After a few minutes you can add some cooking oil and then the kernels. The popcorn should start popping very soon and in another few minutes it should be ready.

Are there any substitutes or replacements for a popcorn machine?

Unfortunately there are no other types of machine that are built specifically for making popcorn. However, there are other ways you can make popcorn at home. The easiest and most common way is to buy microwaveable packages that you simply heat in the microwave. While this is the easiest way to make popcorn, the quality is certainly not as good as a popcorn machine would yield.

You can also try heating up the kernels on your own using a pan and stove, though this can be messier, more dangerous, and not as efficient as a popcorn machine.

Popcorn Machine FAQ

So how do you choose the popcorn machine that’s right for you? These are the questions consumers are asking when shopping for popcorn machines:

How long will a popcorn machine last?

This can depend on how well you take care of your machine and whether it has sustained any damage. In general however, a decent quality popcorn machine can last at least 10 years.

How do I clean my popcorn machine?

Cleaning a popcorn machine is not too difficult. You simply need to use soap and water or vinegar and wipe down the insides with a wet wash cloth. Some components such as the kettle may be detachable so you can wipe it more intensively or even wash it in the dishwasher. There are also some popcorn machine cleaning kits available online for you to purchase.

Can my popcorn maker overheat or catch on fire?

Just as with many types of cooking devices, there is the possibility that this will happen. However, it is generally only a possibility if the popcorn is popped for too long in the kettle. In order to avoid this, make sure to pay attention when making your popcorn so that nothing overheats.

Final Thoughts

It’s hard to go wrong when buying a popcorn machine. Though some might be a bit faster or yield more popcorn per kernel, they all do a great job of cooking quality popcorn while in the comfort of your home.

Written By Ryan W.

Ryan graduated with a degree in journalism and spent years building his writing career in the tech media field. An avid fan of gadgets and tech in general, Ryan has spent years testing and reviewing a wide array of devices. He specializes in reviewing everything from laptops and smartphones to more niche items like smart home devices and security cameras.

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