1. Best Hot Air Popcorn Popper
2. Best Air Popper Popcorn Machine
3. Best Popcorn Popper Consumer Reports
4. Best Popcorn Popper Machines For Home
5. Best Oil Popcorn Popper
6. Best Popcorn Popper Machines For Home

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:Salbree Microwave Popcorn Popper at Amazon

“The silicone bowl is collapsible for simple storage, and when you’re ready to use it, just expand it and add the kernels.”

The Great Northern Popcorn Company Full Antique Style Popcorn Popper Machine comes on a cart, so you can easily move it from place to place. This vintage-style commercial popcorn machine makes a great addition to a home theater or large party. List of Best Popcorn Machine For Home Theater 1. Cuisinart CPM-100 EasyPop Hot Air Popcorn Maker. Great Northern 6074 Popcorn Machine. Hamilton Beach 46 Popcorn Popper-Hot Oil. Great Northern Popcorn Original Stainless Steel Stove. Nostalgia KPM508 Vintage 2.5-Ounce Kettle.

• The Orville Redenbacher's Stirring Popper 05204 by Presto is one of the best popcorn makers you can buy. In addition to its large 20-24 cup capacity, the lid doubles as a bowl and there are no escape routes for unpopped kernels to litter your counter like they do with a traditional air popper.
• Best Popcorn Machines for Home Theaters 2019 10 Hamilton Beach Popcorn Popper Operating on a hot oil basis, this effective popcorn maker from Hamilton Beach is definitely a must-have for anyone who enjoys eating popcorn regularly.

The best air popcorn popper that you can buy from the market right away is the Presto Stirring Popper 05201 air popcorn popper. From this air popper, you get 20-24 cups of soft and delicious popcorn merely from 3/4 cup of kernels that too with no unpopped kernels. Best Popcorn Machine Reviews – Popcorn is a delicious snack and is loved by almost everyone. And what can beat the joy of having your own popcorn maker. Waring Pro WPM40 professional popcorn maker is durable, strong and very useful, especially for all the popcorn lovers. Jan 06, 2019  The PopMaize popcorn maker bowl has got to be the best microwave popcorn maker ever invented. It is made from silicone, which makes it lightweight and collapsible (from 5 down to 2-inches height) for easy storage. Silicone is also very durable and easy to clean. It is even safe to wash the PopMaize Popcorn bowl in the dishwasher.

Best Electric:West Bend 82505 Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper at Amazon

“Besides being super easy to use (an on/off switch controls the motorized stirring rod to make sure all the kernels pop), it’s also got a fun and convenient feature in the cover.”

Best Air Popper:Presto 04821 Orville Redenbacher’s Hot Air Popper at Amazon

“It’s a healthy option since you pop the kernels without oil — the machine uses hot air instead ... “

Runner-Up, Best Overall:Wabash Valley Farms Whirley-Pop Stovetop Popcorn Popper at Amazon

“The pan is made of sturdy aluminum and has a clip-on lid with a wooden handle and stainless steel stirring system that prevents sticking and burning.”

Best Microwave Model:Presto 04830 PowerPop at Amazon

“The bowl can pop up to three quarts of popcorn in about two and a half minutes and features PowerBase and PowerCup concentrators …”

Best Hot Air Popcorn Popper

• Best Overall: Salbree Collapsible Silicone Microwave Hot Air Popcorn Popper Bowl

  Excellent

  Ease of use, value, and overwhelming good reviews make this microwave popcorn popper from Salbree our top pick for best overall. The silicone bowl is collapsible for simple storage, and when you’re ready to use it, just expand it and add the kernels. You can add oil before or after popping, or none if you’d prefer. It can hold up to half a cup of kernels, and when they’re done, you can take the bowl out of the microwave with the convenient side handles. Plus, cleanup is a breeze since it’s dishwasher safe.

  People really seem to love this little bowl, with the majority of reviewers giving it five stars and many using the adjectives “best,” “wonderful,” and “perfect” to describe it. The simplicity of the whole thing is what users seem to love the most, followed by the taste of the popcorn, which is similar to air-popped. Some have reported issues with the popcorn burning, and one pointed out that the bowl is too soft and collapsed when filled with the kernels, but most people found success with this product.

• Best Electric: West Bend 82505 Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper

  Very Good

  If an electric popcorn maker is more your speed, this one from West Bend is a great pick. Besides being super easy to use (an on/off switch controls the motorized stirring rod to make sure all the kernels pop), it’s also got a fun and convenient feature in the cover. After you’re done making the popcorn, just use the large lid as the serving bowl — it’s a 2-in-1 product! The Stir Crazy popper can make about 27 cups of popcorn in about four minutes. You can make it plain or add butter and seasonings.

  Customers who have purchased this machine have mostly great things to say about it. They love the compact size and the quality of the popcorn it makes. One reviewer did point out however that it’s harder to clean than others because the popping surface isn’t removable so oil and seasonings can get trapped in the edges. But most people were happy with it and would recommend it to others.

• Best Air Popper: Presto 04821 Orville Redenbacher's Hot Air Popper

  Excellent

  A top seller in its category, this air popper from Presto has received rave reviews from customers. It’s a healthy option since you pop the kernels without oil — the machine uses hot air instead, but you can still use butter if wanted. You can get up to 18 cups (two large bowls) of regular or gourmet popcorn in less than two and a half minutes, according to the description. It’s also fairly simple to clean — just wipe the base and cover down with a paper towel.

  Many of those who’ve used this popper have nothing but praise for it, calling it “fun,” “durable,” and “super easy.” Just a word of warning, though: it pops the kernels pretty fast — which is great, of course — but you’ll want to have a large bowl at the ready to catch the popcorn, otherwise it’ll make a big mess. Also, since there’s no on/off switch, it’s kind of awkward having to unplug it when you’re doing popping. But if those don’t sound like deal-breaking issues, it’s a great choice.

• Runner Up, Best Overall: Wabash Valley Farms Whirley-Pop Stovetop Popcorn Popper

  If stovetop popping is more your thing, this popper from Wabash Valley Farms is a great choice. According to the description, it can make six quarts (about 24 cups) of theater-style popcorn in just three minutes. The pan is made of sturdy aluminum and has a clip-on lid with a wooden handle and stainless steel stirring system that prevents sticking and burning. The best part of all is the easy cleanup. All you have to do is wipe the parts down with a paper towel.

  Customers say it’s great, but it’s really important to read the instructions — especially when it comes to the heat setting. You should use medium heat, not high, for best results. A lot of people praised the taste of the popcorn from this popper and appreciated how well it popped the kernels. Just know though, it’s a little bit more work than a microwavable one, but if you’re willing to put in the effort, you’ll love the outcome.

• Best Microwave Model: Presto 04830 PowerPop Microwave Multi-Popper

  Here’s a great well-reviewed microwave popper that will satisfy your popcorn cravings. The bowl can pop up to three quarts of popcorn in about two and a half minutes and features PowerBase and PowerCup concentrators that combine to focus microwave energy so effectively that virtually every kernel pops, according to the description. It’s also easy to clean as the bowl and cover can both be placed in the dishwasher.

  Customers have been mostly happy with the quality of the product and how the popcorn comes out after using it. Many have said it’s a good value and worth every penny. Some have said the popcorn has come out burned, and others warned that you have to buy replacement cardboard filters for it to work, but the majority of those who purchased it said they’d recommend it to others.

What to Look for in a Popcorn Maker

Cooking capacity When it’s movie night, think about who you'll be serving—if you'll need just enough popcorn for a few friends or for a whole horde of hungry kids. Also, consider if you want a smaller cooker that's easy to reload or a larger cooker that can make bigger batches.

Cooking method There are pros and cons to every cooking method, whether it be stovetop, microwave, or countertop appliance. If oil-free cooking is your goal, you’ll find poppers that accommodate that. Do you want the butter melted and added automatically? There are ways to do that, too. Do you like the idea hands-off cooking, or do you take pride in your popping skills? No matter what, there’s a perfect popper for how you prefer to cook.

Cleaning Making should be a simple task—you want to get back to your movie, after all. When the final credits run, you’ll have a bowl or two to wash, but you’ll also have to clean your popcorn maker, so consider if you'd like yours to be dishwasher-safe.

We spent 80 hours testing all manner of popcorn makers, from the hot-air only variety to the stir-stick on the bottom models, and came up with nine of the best for your household. Our favorite was the Cuisinart CPM-700 EasyPop Popcorn Maker that creates 14-16 cups of great-tasting popcorn in just six minutes. This easy-to-use popcorn maker employs a stirring arm on the bottom of the popper to move the kernels around on the hot surface. The plastic dome overhead contains the kernels as they pop and can be flipped over later so you can use it as a serving bowl.

Best Overall Popcorn Maker

Cuisinart CPM-700 EasyPop Popcorn Maker

For an exceptional, all-around popcorn maker, the Cuisinart CPM-700 EasyPop Popcorn Maker is tough to beat. This well-designed popper lets you whip up 14 to16 cups of fresh, tasty popcorn in only six minutes.

Our tests showed it left behind no unpopped or burned kernels – if you follow the manufacturer’s instruction carefully. This cheery red popper works with a heated plate at the bottom with a stirring rod that moves in a circular fashion. Add the recommended amount of oil and popcorn, push the button and start.
This device is covered by a clear plastic dome with vents to release moisture. It also keeps popcorn from spewing all over the place during the popping process, and you can flip it over later to use as a serving bowl.
This popper comes with a measuring cup so you can determine how much popcorn you want to make, and both the instructional manual and Cuisinart’s website offer fun recipes for such things as curry popcorn (curry powder, turmeric and cayenne pepper) or buffalo popcorn (hot sauce and cider vinegar).
The Cuisinart popper is easy to clean, stays in place with rubber feet, and provides a three-year warranty and solid customer support, including a how-to demo video on its website. It comes with a 27-inch cord, which is fairly short for popcorn makers, and that could be a drawback if you have only a few outlets in your kitchen. That said, the Cuisinart’s features, performance and extras make this a first-rate popcorn maker.

Best Value Popcorn Maker

West Bend 82505 Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper

This economical popcorn maker is a good, basic model that can prepare 24 to 28 cups of great popcorn with virtually no burnt kernels in about four or five minutes. This popcorn maker uses a non-stick heating plate on the bottom with a stirring rod, and you must add some oil to make popcorn.

There are handles on either side of the device that do not get hot during the process, which is a nice safety touch.
It is designed with an on/off switch, so you won't have to reach past a warm appliance to pull an electrical cord out of the socket to stop the popping. This model is easy to clean. The removable cover can be washed on the top rack of the dishwasher, and the base can be washed with soap and water. You can detatch the stirring rod to wash and dry it by hand and then reattach it. This model comes with a 29.5-inch electrical cord, which is long enough to be practical, but not so long that it droops over the edge of the counter. You also can store the cord on the device's base.
West Bend also helps you jazz up your popcorn snacks with some fun and somewhat unusual recipes in the user manual (there’s a backup version online in case you misplace the printed one). You can make such things as lime fiesta popcorn or herb-infusion popcorn, and West Bend also offers suggestions for flavoring your popcorn in interesting, fun ways like adding celery flakes, crushed red pepper or melted almond bark, or dusting it with cocoa powder.

Best Hot Air Popcorn Maker

Cuisinart EasyPop Hot Air CPM-100

The Cuisinart EasyPop Hot Air CPM-100 lets you easily prepare 10 to 15 cups of oil-free, air-popped corn that tastes delicious and weighs in at a mere 30 calories per cup, which is perfect if you’re on a diet. If you still want that butter boost, you can simply put some in the circular warmer on top of the machine.

Although the EasyPop quickly makes some great popcorn, there is some waste – our testing showed a tablespoon of unpopped kernels. It also can be a tad messy when making popcorn since the force of the motor blows some stray pieces of popcorn onto the counter and floor. To keep things neat, it’s wise to use a tall bowl so you capture as much popcorn as possible.
You get an on/off switch with this air popcorn maker, which means you won’t need to risk reaching past a warm machine to pull the plug to turn it off. The cord is rather long at 32 inches, but there is no built-in storage area onboard, which is a feature found on the best popcorn makers.
Clean-up is easy with this popcorn maker since its removable parts can be cleaned in the dishwasher. In addition, it’s compact and lightweight at approximately 3 pounds, so it’s easy to store. This Cuisinart Hot Air popper comes with a measuring cup, which is always helpful. The plastic used in this machine is BPA-free, which will no doubt please many people who might be concerned about the possibility of health problems associated with BPA, although the Environmental Protection Agency has said it is safe at low levels.

Best Air Popper Popcorn Machine

Great for Large Quantities

Orville Redenbacher's Stirring Popper 05204

The Orville Redenbacher's Stirring Popper 05204 by Presto is one of the best popcorn makers you can buy. In addition to its large 20-24 cup capacity, the lid doubles as a bowl and there are no escape routes for unpopped kernels to litter your counter like they do with a traditional air popper.
Another difference between the 05204 and an air popper is that it uses a heating plate that you put oil and kernels on. When we tested this popcorn maker we were pleased to see that this popper left no unpopped kernels at all, and there was no burnt popcorn either – at least when we followed the instructions precisely.
Unfortunately, the bowl/lid, heating plate and stirring rod are not dishwasher safe, so be prepared to do a little hand wash after you enjoy your large bowl of fresh popcorn.
The Orville Redenbacher's Stirring Popper 05204 is a great popcorn maker and we recommend it if you’re not as concerned with using oil to pop your kernels and want a lot of popcorn in a hurry.

Smaller & Simple Hot Air Popper

PopLite Hot Air Popcorn Popper

The Presto PopLite is a small air popcorn maker without many frills or features. It is very easy to use, especially since you don’t have to use oil, and easy to clean up – which is perfect if you are looking for a quick, tasty low-calorie snack. All you have to do is plug in the PopLite, wait for it to heat up, add your popcorn kernels and in two to three minutes you’ll have a bowl of hot, fresh popcorn to enjoy.
When we tested the PopLite we liked how the popped popcorn turned out and tasted, but we were very disappointed in how many unpopped kernels were left behind. It left behind more than any other popper we tested.
Fortunately, for the price, this popcorn maker performs as well as we expected it to and it didn’t spew as much popcorn and kernels all over our kitchen counter like some of the other air poppers we tested did. If you want to make more popcorn at once and don’t mind using a little bit of oil, check out our best overall pick, the Cuisinart CPM-700 EasyPop Popcorn Maker.

Why Trust Us?

We invested 80 hours testing popcorn makers and followed their use manuals to the letter. We used only the best quality ingredients – name-brand popcorn, butter, salt and oil, when called for – so each popcorn popper would be tested and evaluated in the same fashion. In addition, we used the same testing approach for each model by doing such things as timing the popping process carefully, examining it thoroughly by hand, and of course, tasting it.

We checked written materials about popcorn makers in general and carefully read the websites and consumer reviews for each of the poppers we tested. We also examined the fine print of warranties. We documented everything significant that we learned about each popcorn maker, and scored and ranked each accordingly.

We also considered cost when testing and evaluating popcorn makers, and we found models that perform very well at any price. For example, the roughly $20

popper does a fine job making tasty popcorn, even when compared to popcorn makers that cost almost double that sum. The higher priced models tend to yield greater amounts of popcorn, but if you don’t want to spend very much, a good, inexpensive machine might work quite well for your needs.

How We Tested?

Best Popcorn Popper Consumer Reports

We made two batches of popcorn in each of our test models, following the manufacturer’s instructions. All popcorn and oil (if needed for a particular model) was carefully measured, and we timed how long each popcorn maker took to complete the job. Then we combed through the popcorn to find any burnt or unpopped kernels, picked them out of each batch, and carefully measured and documented them. We even gathered up unpopped kernels from inside the machine, on the kitchen countertop and on the floor in order to measure those. We scored those criteria based on an average for the three batches.

As far as such things as the length of the electrical cord and the dimensions, we didn’t just take the manufacturer’s word for it, but took our own measurements with a tape measure. We also evaluated how easy or difficult it was to clean and whether you got a recipe booklet or measuring cup with it. We checked to see whether plastic popcorn popper parts were free of the chemical compound BPA (bisphenol A), which some research indicates could be harmful to human health, although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers it safe at low levels.

Additionally, we examined the length of the warranty, as well as reading the fine print, looking at the number of ways you can contact customer support, checking to see if the manufacturer offered a FAQs section on its website and determining whether you get a user manual with the popper – either a paper booklet or online. We also looked to see which manufacturers offer videos that show how to operate its popcorn popper.

How Much Do Popcorn Poppers cost?

We found that popcorn poppers vary in price with a typical price range going from less than $20 for a simple model to about $60 for a home model. Some people don’t mind splurging on big circus-style popcorn carts that cost hundreds of dollars, but most consumers tend to buy reasonably priced models.

What Is the Best Oil to Use in Popcorn Machines?

While you can potentially use any type of oil in your popcorn machine, you’re most likely going to use coconut oil or canola oil. Coconut oil contains more fat and cholesterol than canola oil but both make excellent popcorn.

For that classic buttery flavor, consider getting a flavored popcorn oil. Likewise, you can use plain coconut oil or canola oil seasoned with a butter-flavored salt such as Flavacol or a kettle corn seasoning for sweet popcorn.

Peanut oil is an excellent alternative to coconut and canola oil because it has a high burning point. You can also experiment with sunflower or soybean oil or try something more exotic such as avocado or walnut oil.

On the other hand, while olive oil is a healthy choice, makes a great vinaigrette for salads and works well for pan cooking, it has a low burning point and tends to be expensive. As such, you might not want to use it with a popcorn maker. However, you can combine it with other oils – for example, you could use peanut oil as the primary oil and add just a touch of olive oil.

It’s best to avoid using flaxseed oil and wheat germ oil since they aren’t supposed to be heated. According to a 2016 article in the Cleveland Clinic’s online publication Healthy Essentials, you won’t get good popcorn with those oils.

If all else fails, check the manufacturer’s recommendations, since the type of oil it suggests will usually yield the best results.

More Specialty Appliance Guides:

Cuisinart CPM-700 EasyPop Popcorn Maker

Best Popcorn Popper Machines For Home

The Cuisinart CPM-700 EasyPop Popcorn Maker can pop 14-16 cups of popcorn in only six minutes with no wasted or burnt kernels if you time it carefully, and parts are dishwasher safe.

West Bend 82505 Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper

With the West Bend 82505 Stir Crazy, you can make 24 to 28 cups of popcorn in only four to five minutes with no burnt kernels, and it has a non-stick cooking surface.

Best Oil Popcorn Popper

Cuisinart EasyPop Hot Air CPM-100

It’s easy to make tasty oil-free, butter-free popcorn with Cuisinart EasyPop Hot Air CPM-100 popcorn maker. You get 10 to15 cups in three minutes, and you can add butter if you like.

Best Popcorn Popper Machines For Home

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